Image: Craig Slaney Photography
It is only Round Six, but in a strange quirk of the draw the top half of the ladder play against the bottom half in TPIL Lawyers QAFL with Broadbeach having a bye. All matches are on Saturday starting at 2pm.
REDLAND-VICTORIA POINT (5th) v NOOSA (8th) 2pm Totally Workwear Park
These two teams are the closest on the ladder heading into this weekend’s matches with only four points separating them on the ladder. Redland-Victoria Point lost the opening round at home against Surfers Paradise then recovered with three successive victories before coming unstuck in round five against fierce rivals Palm Beach-Currumbin in a classic on the Gold Coast.
On paper and back at home, the Sharks will go in as favourites against Noosa especially with Matt Hammelmann in form leading the Ray Hughson Medal and booting eight goals in a losing side last week. Alex Sexton & Clay Cameron return for this clash to join evergreen Scott Miller, Campbell Aston and rising star Cooper Pell in a strong midfield.
Noosa have had a weekend off and would have prepared strongly for this daunting contest in a match that will have implications for them competing with the power clubs and climbing the ladder. So far this season the Tigers two wins have been over clubs below them on the ladder but lost to neighbours and ladder leaders Maroochydore and Broadbeach in a close finish. Sam Tilley continues to shine for the Tigers and is joined by Curtis McCarthy returning from the VFL. Mav Pettigrove, Sam Willoughby and Rory McKenzie will need to be at their best on Saturday.
These combatants met twice last season with the Sharks winning both contests convincingly - this assignment may define how far Noosa can climb this season.
ASPLEY (9th) v MORNINGSIDE (4th) 2pm Automall Aspley Oval
Despite the well-documented pre-season roster changes and some mixed results so far, Aspley find themselves only one win outside the eight and behind this weekend's opponent. The Hornet's losses include the highflying Maroochydore and Labrador so another crucial test awaits against Morningside with the two sides engaging in numerous tense battles over the years.
In 2025 it was a win apiece and strangely it was the away team that tasted victory each time. Back on home turf and following a big win last week, the Hornets led by Ryan Bastinac and Jordan Taylor should be primed to provide a stern test for the Panthers. The young brigade including Charlie Hewitt in the ruck, the running Sinclair Burmeister and forwards Hamish McPherson/Koopa Walsh will be asked to perform against some more mature opponents.
Following a tough opening three rounds against top four opposition which did include a thrilling opening round win over Palm Beach-Currumbin, Morningside have had a couple of sizeable confidence boosting wins over teams lower on the ladder. If their classy midfield begins to wreak havoc and feed a hungry forward line containing Shaquille McLeod and Kelly Castle, then Aspley's team defence, will have their work cut out for them.
COORPAROO (10th) v PALM BEACH-CURRUMBIN (3rd) 2pm Giffin Park
For the third time in four weeks, Coorparoo are playing at home but as yet in the previous two contests at Giffin Park, they were unable to capitalise against Aspley and Maroochydore. It does not get easier here against Palm Beach-Currumbin who recorded a brilliant win over RVP last week in another classic encounter.
The King's are in their second season back in the senior competition and in that respect are still building and looking to match it with the power clubs. This match provides a perfect opportunity to put their game plan to the test, but it will be a difficult task to contain such a quality midfield and forward line.
Conversely, PBC will not want to take this clash lightly after such a morale boosting win last week. The Lions are two games behind ladder leader Maroochydore (who have played five matches), one win behind Surfers and lead a pack of five teams on three wins so can ill afford to be complacent here and risk losing a top four position.
In the remaining matches Surfers Paradise can continue their unbeaten run when they host Wilston Grange at Kallibr Homes Oval. The Demons have a determined attitude so far this season and does not look like stopping here against the young Gorillas searching for their first win of the year.
Maroochydore and Surfers are the last surviving undefeated teams in 2026 and the Roos host Sherwoood who surprisingly are also yet to breakthrough for four points. It seems the Magpies have struggled since that opening loss to Mt Gravatt but maybe a trip to the Sunshine Coast can bring about a change in fortune.
Speaking of Mt Gravatt, a tricky trip to Cooke-Murphy Oval on the Gold Coast awaits the young Vultures. Labrador are never easy to beat on home turf and would not want to lose ground to those above them by dropping this one.
Broadbeach are one of those five teams on 12 points sitting mid-table and have the bye this week before a quick renewal against Labrador for Round Seven.